Glass structure



, June 14,1927. 1,632,330

H. B. HAWES GLASS STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 20, 1926 Jf/drney June 14, 1927.

W l S? a l ES rarr nr -orr HAROLD B. HAWES, O1? FAIR-FIELD, CONNECTICUT.

GLASS STRUCTURE. i

the coiulensation of moisture on the rafter bars and gutters, and to greatly simplify and lessen the cost of the substitution of rafter bars of different strength, according to the length of span required and the weight supported by said bars.

Cne of the most striking and efficient adaptationsof this invention relates to the construction of skylights, and therefore the invention will be illustrated in connection with the latter, and will be readily under stood from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application and in which- Figure 1 is a broken perspective view of one unit of a skylight structure constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section taken through a nut and rafter bar lug showing all the parts of the structureassembled.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken at a point intern'iediate two lugs and showing particularly the air spaces'between the rafter bar and condensation gutter and betweenthe latter and the glass rest.

Figure fl is a cross sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a wide rafter bar secured to the lug, and

Figure 5 is across section similar to Figure l but illustrating a modified way of strengthening the rafter bar instead of substituting a wider one.

Similar numerals of reference denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

The drawings illustrate only a part of a skylight unit, but it must be understood that there are many of these units each one of which has its rafter bar secured at spaced locations to lugs, and the sectional structures shown in the drawings are duplicated many times throughout the length of a rafter bar.

But this invention particularly relates to the manner of securing the rafter bar and to the provision of air spaces to prevent condensation, and these features can be explained and will be readily understood in connection with the views of the present drawings.

1 represents a rafter bar and 2 a lug which latter is a metal structure that is forked to provide legs 3, 4, between which legs the rafter bar is placed and secured thereto by mcans of bolts or rivets 5 passed through the legs and bars.

6 is an elongated gutter section which rests upon the lug 2 and is flanked by gutter portions 7 and resting on top of this section is a fiber washer 8, having more or less resiliency, which washer is surmounted by an elongatedglass support 9.

10 is an asphalt-lo cushion resting on the part 9 and on this cushion are the glass sections 11, a similar 'asphaltic cushion 12 being placed on top of theedges of the glass sections, the parts all being secured together in the manner presently to be explained 13is a bolt whose lower extremity is driven into the lugsand which extends upwardly and freely through the fiber washer 8, glass support 9 and asphaltic cushions 10 and 12.

14: is a binding cap whose lower extremi ties bite into the cushion 12, the bolt 13 ex-: tending freely through the top'of this cap, a binding'nut being driven on the end of the bolt against the cap to forcethe latter firmly against the cushion 12, and likewise to bind all the parts securely together.

The bindingcap lt, asphaltic cushions 10 and l2,rglass support 9 and gutter"? extend throughout the full length of the structure, which,mof course,-means the length of the rafter bar, and while the fiber washer 8 is utilized onlylocally inthe planes in which the parts are secured together, nevertheless this is immaterial since such washer may extend the whole length of the structure, but it is preferred that this washer be utilized only locally as set forth, since its omission intermediate the various points at which the parts of the structure are bound together provides free air spaces between the top 0 the gutter structure 6 and the bottom of the glass support 9, thus materially aiding in the prevention of moisture condensation, which will be apparent by reference to Fig ure 3.

The lateral edges of the glass support 9 depend toward the gutters 7, so that any drippings from condensation on the glass support may fall directly into the gutters and be carried off and dispensed within the usual manner.

Should it be ascertained that the length of the span and the weight to be supported thereby necessitated a stronger rafter bar, it is merely necessary to provide such a bar that is deeper and secure it in position withlized in the construction of rafter bars, such as T or I beam structures Which must be specially made at considerable expense, Whereas a plain rafter bar such as this invention employs, may be obtained in varying Widths in the open market.

In the'instance of a structure already installed but requiring more strength in the rafter bar, a structural or other steel reenforcement 16 may be bolted to the lower edge of the rafter bar to give the latter the required stiffness.

Since there is a free circulation of air between the glass support and gutters, and between the rafter bars and gutters, moisture cannot condense on said bars or on the outer surfaces of the gutters, and all other condensation will drip into the gutters and be disposed of in the usual manner.

lVhile it is preferred to mount the glass sections as shown in the drawing, employing a separate glass support member, a fibrous washerand a gutter, it will be clear that the entire superstructure is supported by the lugs and rafter bar, and therefore any suitable parts may be assembled on the lugs to hold the glass sections, so long as the vertical bolts and the nuts secure all parts together firmly, and therefore the invention is not limited in these respects.

What is claimed is 1. In a glass structure unit as described, a plain rafter bar, a series of lugs secured to said bar at spaced locations, upwardly extending bolts secured to said lugs, acap through which the free endsof said bolts hereto.

extend, glass sections and associated parts supported by said lugs intermediate the latter and said cap, and nuts driven on the ends of said bolts against the cap whereby all parts are secured in their assembly.

2. In a glass structure unit as described a plain rafter bar, a series of'forked lugs embracing said bar at spaced locations and bolted thereto, upwardly extending bolts secured to said lugs, glass sections faced with asphaltic strips andsupported by said lugs,

'a cap whose lateral edges contact the upper of said strips, the upper ends of said bolts extending freely through said cap, and nuts driven on the ends of said bolts against said cap, whereby said edges will be embedded in i and nuts driven on the outer ends of said bolts against said cap whereby thelatter will be embedded inv the asphaltic strip and all parts secured toge her,

at. A construction as in claim 3, with the addition, that interniediate the lugs there is a free circulation of air between the rafter bars and gutters, and between the glass supporting means and gutters, whereby moisture will not condense on saidbars and the Outer surfaces of the gutters.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature HAROLD B. nawns. 

